No blood tests

We did not test any of the cows for pregnancy last year. I had real trouble getting either of my cow people out to do this. So the way I figure they are either pregnant or not. Aunty Del is not. And within the next few months we will find out about the rest.

And Alex may be. She was with the bull for a good long time.

You can see her calf Txiki there on the right and Tia ‘my’ calf on the left.  Tia is hard to get a good shot of as she is always close in behind me.

And here is a shot of Alex from the rear  Ales does not like anyone behind her.  We are looking for the ‘b’ for Baby. A calf will push her mothers belly out to the right side. I would have to change my font to find the handwritten ‘g’ that is the right shape for a grass filled belly (that goes out to the left) but you know what I mean. I  don’t think we will see many changes yet as her first dates would be in May if Carlos bred her straight away.  Dexters are well known for being all belly anyway.

The udder is the best indication of pregnancy to me. Or tapping the right side of the cow with one sharp wack, and the calf will kick back.  But this is for later in the pregnancy. And neither Alex not Aunty Anna are tame enough for that to be a possibility.

So we will still be watching and waiting to see if Alex, Lady Astor or Aunty Anna are pregnant.  We still don’t know if Carlos the Tiny is even a viable bull.

Lady Astor was bred using AI – the only time I was able to get anyone out to the farm for this – so if she is pregnant she will be calving in May.

So, for now, we keep watch on bellies and udders and behaviours and see what happens next.  And after I return from California (I leave Thursday of next week) and we see winter off, all the possibly pregnant girls will be brought back to the home farm.

Today I will finish Molly’s corner of the barn and bring her home. Another hopefully pregnant one.

I hope you have a lovely day.

celi

c